Make a pillow using a pillowform

Pillow forms are nice for several reasons. For one, you can more easily clean the visible part of the pillow if something soils it. Pillow forms also have a nice shape that is hard to get from polyester stuffing. Also, no slip stitching the edge closed! Just use a zipper.

Supplies

(Click fabrics for direct links for purchase at Warehouse Fabrics Inc.)

Scout spice - SCTSPE

Rope lip cord, cinnamon

Zipper in coordinating color

Pillow form
I used two pieces of fabric, 18×18 inches, a 16″ zipper, 2.25 yards of the lip cord and an 18×18″ pillow form.

The pattern

Simply cut two 18×18 inch pieces of fabric, or a size equal to your pillow form. You will use half-inch seam allowances, and so this will ensure your pillow is nicely stuffed with the pillow form.

The process

I used rope lip cord on this pillow, which is a little tricky to sew. You can make an amazingly quick and easy pillow cover by bypassing any trim and just following the other steps.

Here, I’m using a zipper foot to sew my cord to the right side of one fabric panel. I want it about 1/2″ from the edge of the fabric, and so I set it in from the edge just a smidge. I didn’t bother pinning; I found that just made things harder.

Go all the way around, but leave an inch or so at either end. See next step.
This is one of the trickier parts. You want to blend the cord so that it looks like one continuous piece. You can find my tutorial here.
Once you’ve done that, it’s time for the zipper. Here is your step 1 if you are skipping the trim. Lay the zipper face-down on the right side of the fabric. Please click picture for a better view of how I have my zipper placed. The next photo is also a good view of the zipper placement.
Pin your zipper as such. Of course, my pins are going every which way to ensure I stab myself or accidentally sew over one.
Using a zipper foot, sew as close to the zipper teeth as you can.
This is how it should look when opened up.
Now place the other fabric panel right-sides together with the first. Pin the right side of the other side of the zipper to the right side of the fabric. Sew.
Now all you have to do is sew all the way around your pillow, except where the zipper is. Start at one end of the zipper and stop when you reach the other end. Of course, you surely had your zipper open so that when you’re done sewing you can flip your pillow right-side out.

Insert the pillow form and zip closed.

Other views

(Click for bigger views)

Roadcat approves

side view

zipper view